Sad news...

In midweek we took Rubbish Running Dog to see our lovely vet... we feared her arthritis was getting worse, but the news was even more ghastly than that - she had bone cancer and there was nothing to be done.

She was a very gentle soul, she loved a good party and she encouraged many young children to overcome their fear of dogs by letting them rub her tummy and stroke her lovely soft ears.  When the Melodeon Master and I married she was hugely excited to wear a silk flowered collar and she looped round the garden in circles in a slightly crazed fashion.

She also LOVED food...  She once ate an entire broccoli and stilton quiche that had been slightly overcooked and left outside to cool.

She was a total star in so many ways, a delight to have around and a sweet smiley face that especially liked lying upside down on the floor to get her tummy rubbed endlessly.

But she was absolutely rubbish at running...

The Melodeon Master and I haven't been much good at eating properly since.  We have, however, been extremely good at opening bottles of wine and eating junk food.  It seemed like the only sensible thing to do really.

Three weeks today I have entered a sponsored bike ride to cycle 35 miles around Bath (no, really, it's not that hilly) with Pedalling Paula.  The bike ride is in aid of the Bath Cats & Dogs Home, and Pedalling Paula says that now we will cycle for Rubbish Running Dog and raise money in her memory.  If you feel kind enough to sponsor me, please visit JustGiving.  I should be able to put a clever widget thing on this page but.... 

I am currently slightly flabby, I've done no running or biking for weeks, I'm drinking more than anybody pretending to be an athlete should and I seem to have developed a slight addiction to Snickers bars.

Training will start tomorrow.

It has to.